Minimally Invasive Surgery Offers Improved Outcomes

With improvements in technology and the advanced training of physicians, many surgeries at All Saints can now be performed using minimally invasive techniques. Our team of medical experts works right here in Racine to review each case and ensure each patient receives the surgical option best suited to him or her.

Minimally invasive surgery - sometimes known as laparoscopic or arthroscopic surgery - is performed through tiny incisions rather than through a large, open incision and frequently uses endoscopes. The benefits of minimally invasive surgery for patients are significant:

less post-operative pain
less scarring
shorter hospital stay
faster recovery and, in many cases, a better overall outcome

How does minimally invasive surgery work?
In minimally invasive surgeries, a surgeon may insert an endoscope - a long thin tube with a lighted camera at its tip - through a small incision. The camera sends a two-dimensional image of the surgical site to a high-definition monitor, which the surgeon watches throughout the operation.

Specially designed surgical instruments are placed through the original cut or through other small incisions and allow the surgeon to cut, stitch, cauterize and perform other tasks with minimal damage to skin, muscles and organs. Generally, patients require only an overnight hospital stay and heal with very little scarring.

The following minimally invasive procedures are available at All Saints:

General Surgery
- laparoscopic adrenalectomy
- laparoscopic splenectomy
- laparoscopic colon resection
- laparoscopic paraesophageal and hiatal hernia repair
- laparoscopic ventral and inguinal hernia repair, including component separation techniques
- minimally invasive parathyroid surgery
- endovascular catheter-based aneurysmal and peripheral vascular procedures in conjunction with Interventional Radiology and Cardiology
Gynecologic Surgery
- Colposcopy
- Diagnostic and operative laparoscopy
- Endometrial ablation (Novasure®, Thermachoice® and HTA™)
- Hysterectomy
  - Laparoscopic
  - laparoscopic supracervical
  - laparoscopic assisted vaginal
  - vaginal
  - abdominal
- Hysteroscopic polyp removal
  - Hysteroscopy with dilation and curettage (D&C)
  - Interstim®
  - Loop electrode excision procedure (LEEP)
  - Mid urethral sling
  - Myomectomy
    - hysteroscopic
    - laparoscopic
- Pelvic prolapse surgery
- Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)
Neurosurgery
- vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty
- percutaneous pedicle screws
- spine stabilization
Orthopedic Surgery
- all forms of joint arthroscopy
- rotator cuff repair
- joint replacement
- endoscopic carpal tunnel release
Otolaryngology
- endoscopic sinus surgery
Plastic (Cosmetic) and Reconstructive Surgery
- endoscopic breast augmentation
- endoscopic brow lift
- endoscopic facial procedures
Urology
- laparoscopic adrenalectomy
- laparoscopic partial and total nephrectomy
- percutaneous nephrolithotripsy
- treatment of stress incontinence